Approximately 30% of
household water use is for outdoor use in the form of garden irrigation.
Outdoor water usage is very seasonal, according to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency,
and outdoor water usage is highest when water availability is the lowest due to
drought conditions and heat. The top three uses of water in the household are
for landscaping, sewage, and laundry. Yet a simple laundry-to-landscape system could
reduce one of these high water wasters. A laundry-to-landscape system might not
be the only step to make the garden water neutral; approximately 15% of
household water use is for laundry, which could at least reduce outdoor water
usage by 50% if a laundry-to-landscape system were installed.

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Laundry-to-landscape
systems can be a very smart investment for homeowners that live in areas of
water scarcity or in areas that use a lot of water outdoors. If installed by a
professional, a laundry-to-landscape system costs between $700 and $2,000. Materials
cost approximately $100 to $250, and installation courses cost approximately
$100 through Greywater Action, a "collaborative group of educators, designers, builders, and
artists who educate and empower people to build sustainable water culture and
infrastructure."

The maintenance for a
laundry-to-landscape system is relatively low, which means that it would be
very easy to sustain the use of a laundry-to-landscape system for the long haul.
Other greywater systems, such as recycling all household water except for
toilet water, are more likely to encounter mechanical problems and face
sanitary concerns. However, due to the simplicity of laundry-to-landscape
systems, it is easier for homeowners to properly maintain the more limited
greywater system and require less of an investment in future plumbing problems.

Laundry-to-landscape
greywater systems are a great investment to reduce water consumption with
little maintenance and relatively low installation costs. There are many tools
available to homeowners looking to install a laundry-to-landscape greywater
system. And it can provide as much as a 15% reduction in household water
consumption. This practice could make a real difference in water availability
if employed on a large scale in drought-prone areas.

This
story is part of the Collegiate Corner, a section of ENN dedicated to student
work. All work in this column is the product of the student in its entirely. If
you have questions about the Collegiate Corner or would like to submit please
contact: rblackstone@enn.com.